Shrimp to savor

As a signature staple offered at almost every Chinese restaurant, honey walnut shrimp is pretty ubiquitous. But if you haven’t tried the version at Little Village Noodle House in Chinatown, you’re missing out.

“Honey Walnut Shrimp is a must-have dish here,”says restaurant owner and general manager David Chang. “We use quality shrimp — when you take a bite, you can feel the crunch.”

The restaurant’s Honey Walnut Shrimp ($18.50 for one order, as pictured) is doused in a sweet mayonnaise-based sauce, accented with green onions and garlic aioli, and served on a bed of crispy rice noodles.

If you want to add a kick to your step, Spicy Garlic Shrimp ($18.50 for one order, as pictured). Get ready for some serious heat, though. Chang explains that the purpose of the dish is to “challenge customers’ taste buds.”

“We took it to a new level,” he says. “It is really spicy! The sauce is made out of lime, ketchup and a lot of chili pepper.”

According to Chang, Little Village Noodle House mixes traditional Chinese cuisine with a more modern touch. While its dishes are authentically Chinese, Chang explains that they also are tweaked to cater to local and American palates.

Take Garlic Butter Steamed Kauai Prawns ($16.95), for example, which Chang concocted because of his customers’ affinity for butter.

“This dish is simple. There are chives, garlic, butter and shallots.

“We use local ingredients, and we get the prawns fresh,” he says, adding that Little Village “goes local” as much as possible.

Currently, Little Village is whipping up a special menu for Chinese New Year, which will include rack of lamb. Chang says it’s set to be unveiled mid-February.

Little Village Noodle House

1113 Smith St., Chinatown
545-3008
Monday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.;
Friday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
littlevillagehawaii.com

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